CNMI mock trial team excels at national tournament

Nine students from Saipan Southern High School represented the CNMI at the National High School Mock Trial Championship on May 15-16, 2015, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mikhail Alcantara, Emily DeWitt, Jin Pyo Jeon, Sung Min Kim, Aaron Tiger Lee, Annika Matias, Eliezha May Mendoza, Jun Seo Park, and Ezekiel Rafanan made the CNMI proud at the tournament, placing 27th out of 46 teams after four grueling rounds of competition.

Despite the resources that may be available to mainland students, Park, one of the team captains, said the team “overcame that disadvantage by working hard, focusing on the law, and having fun.”

The team argued Andy Archer v. Detail Security, Inc., a fictitious civil action about a college student who filed suit against a security company for battery by and negligent hiring and retention of an employee—a North Carolina history fan who had a history of conflicts with the student’s family involved in the theft of the Bill of Rights. The case arises on July 4, 2014, a day of celebration for the return of the missing Bill of Rights, when the security guard uses a taser that causes the student to fall down a flight of stairs and ultimately destroys the student’s dream of competing at the Olympics.

The CNMI team competed against teams from Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The CNMI team excelled in their overall performance during the competition. In addition, individual members of the team were recognized by their peers for their outstanding attorney and witness performances. DeWitt and Alcantara were named star attorneys for one round of competition, while Matias was selected as a star attorney for two rounds. Dewitt and Lee won star witness awards in one round, while Mendoza was named a star witness for two rounds.

DeWitt, another team captain, described the tournament as “a great learning and bonding experience” and a “treasured memory.” She noted several highlights of the trip included “watching the Joshua Bell concert, touring college campuses, and hearing Justice Scalia speak, but the greatest highlight was competing with my team members.”

The students spent countless hours preparing for the national competition, rehearsing with volunteer judges and attorneys and scrimmaging against multiple state teams. The CNMI Bar Association would like to thank teacher-coach Frank Lee SN. Borja and attorney-coaches Claire Kelleher-Smith and Michael A. Sato for their dedication in ensuring their students were well-prepared at the nationals; Associate Justice John A. Manglona, Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, and attorneys Charles Brasington, Joseph Hallahan, Clifford Kato, Sheila Trianni, and Michael Witry for their assistance during scrimmages; as well as the sponsors for their contributions to the mock trial program: Bridge Capital, LLC; Coca-Cola Beverage Company; Fiesta Resort & Spa; Herman’s Modern Bakery; Hyatt Regency Saipan; IT&E; Jody Jordahl; Joeten; Joshua Bell; LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort; Marianas Variety; National Office Supply; North Carolina Symphony; Northern Marianas Judiciary Historical Society; Pacific Islands Club; Rep. Blas Attao; Rep. Angel Demapan; Rep. Joseph L. Guerrero; Rep. Edwin K. Propst; Rep. Ramon Tebuteb; Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar; Sen. Justo S. Quitugua; Sen. Teresita A. Santos; Saipan Ice & Water Co.; Subway; and Topnotch. (PR)